Chelsea have started the season with three victories and they have recovered well from their disastrous campaign last year. The appointment of Antonio Conte was a masterstroke, as he has the passion and tactical knowledge to create a winning side at Stamford Bridge once more. He has already shown how he can make positive changes and have an impact from the touchline.
The club have made some astute signings and are now one of the main title contenders this season. Over the next few pages, here are three reasons we think that Chelsea can regain their Premier League title:
The re-emergence of Eden Hazard
There was an attitude problem with Eden Hazard last season and many believe his poor performances were caused by a rift with Jose Mourinho. Every player is going to go through bad patches of form, even the world’s best, but Hazard looked uninterested on the pitch and Chelsea suffered for it.
Although he improved under Guus Hiddink and ended the season well, he was still expected to leave the club during the summer.
That didn’t happen and he has been one of the best players in the league during the opening three matches. On his day, there is nobody better in the division and it looks like there will be a lot more of them throughout the 2016/17 season. Conte has given Hazard more license in the final third by playing two defensive minded midfielders and it is proving to be a masterstroke.
The Belgian is averaging 4.7 shots and 5.7 dribbles per game. It is very early into the new season, but Hazard looks back to his former self and is going to have a major influence on where Chelsea finish. If he can perform at this level consistently, Chelsea will be challenging for the title.